Hand grip



p 7, 1940. J. D. CRARY 2,215,116

HAND GRIP Filed May 24, 1957 1M Y 17. CRAR'Y INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 17 1940 HAND GRIP Jay D. Crary, Portland, reg., assignor of onehalf to Ira R. Watkins, Aberdeen, Wash.

Application May 24,1937, Serial No. 144,383-

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in hand-grips for carrying bags, and the like, and more particularly to a method of primarily forming the elementsof a hand-grip to be attached to a handle whereby the elements may be finally formed into the shape of a hand-grip by the normal gripping of the elements when attached to a handle.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a partially formed hand-grip of soft material which may be quickly and conveniently attached to the handles of a carrying bag, and when so attached may be conveniently bent or formed into a predetermined shape to form a soft yet durable and inexpensive cushioned hand-grip.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a hand-grip of this character which can be quickly and cheaply made in large quantitles from random sizes, shapes, lengths and widths of scrap material.

The method of initially forming the hand-grip is simple and inexpensive since it only requires the use of a pair of spaced-apart discs rotating in alignment with rotatable grooved discs to form a pair of parallel fold lines extending throughout the length or width of the handgrip.

It is to be understood of course, that the foregoing does not in any way prescribe the limits of utility of the invention for it is equally well adapted for use, as an individual handle applicable to a wide variety of carrying devices, and for general use around a kitchen, workshop or the like.

The foregoing and other objects will appear as my invention is more fully hereinafter de scribed in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing: I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a carrying bag showing my new and improved form of grip permanently attached to one of the conventional handles of the bag.

Figure 2 illustrates one of a number of different ways of forming fold lines in a strip of material to be subsequently cut into proper lengths to form the hand-grip.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing:

Reference numeral l indicates a carrying bag having two usual side walls 2 and 3 to which are stitched or otherwise secured, as at 4, flexible handles 5 and 6 which are of sufiicient length to be brought together over the top of the bag.

To either one of the handles, and in this case handle 6, I secure by means of a staple l, or other suitable fastening, a partially formed hand-grip 8. The hand-grip may be made of any soft but durable material, such for instance, as packing paper, fiber, card-board, leather, rubber or the like. But I have found by experiment that good results may be obtained by using ordinary packing paper sometimes referred to as corrugated paper or board which consists of a top layer 9 and a bottom layer It with corrugated paper H disposed between the two layers. For best results in forming my handle and in using the same, I have found that it is desirable to cut the paper with the corrugations running transversely thereof, as shown.

The hand-grip is formed with a pair of parallel grooves 12 and I3, and in attaching the grip to either handle, the handle should be disposed inwardly with respect to either groove but arranged immediately alongside of the same, as shown.

The grooves l2 and [3 may be formed by any suitable pressing or rolling means and in Figure 2 I have illustrated one of many different ways in which the grooves may be formed. As shown, a wheel or roller l4 may be used which is provided at its edges with flanges i5 and i6. Companion wheels I1 and i8 may be provided and formed with grooved flanges l9 and 28 for cooperation with the flanges l5 and iii of the wheel I4. The upper and lower wheels are; mounted on shafts 2| and 22 journaled in suitable bearings and operated by any suitable means. The peripheries of all the flanges are spaced apart vertically a suflicient distance to receive and progressively crease the paper as it is advanced between the flanges. The lateral spacing of the flanges is such that the grooves are formed in proper parallel spaced relation with respect to each other throughout the length of the paper. As the paper is passed between the flanges it is also crimped substantially into the shape shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein both longitudinal-marginal portions 23 are inclined upwardly to a slight degree with respect to the center portion 24. This initial bending upwardly of the marginal portions of the grip partially forms the grip. When thus partially formed and attached to a bag handle the marginal portions are in a position to be moved or folded into an upright and completely formed position by the hand of a user when gripping it. I have also found by experiment that I need not bend the marginal portions upwardly to cause the grip to assume its proper shape when gripped, since the grooves which partially form the corners of the grip will cause the marginal portions to start upwardly when gripped.

By this arrangement and method, I provide hand-grips which may be quickly and cheaply manufactured and which may be packed and shipped in a nested relation, one upon the other, in a minimum amount of space. I also provide a grip which, when attached to a bag handle, can be completely formed with practically no attention on the part of the user.

Although I have specifically describedthe invention in connection with a carrying bag, it is to be understood that the hand-grip may also be applied to handles of other carrying devices, such as baskets, buckets, carrying cases and the like, and While I have shown a particular form of embodiment of my invention I am aware that many minor changes therein will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 1

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A hand grip for the bails or handles of containers such as bags, pails and the like, comprising in combination an elongated body portion of relatively heavy though flexible flat sheet f1- brous-like material, spaced parallel score lines in one surface only of said body and running longitudinally thereof between the side edges of the same, said score lines providing weakened portions in said body, side wings having their inner margins defined by said score line-defined weakened portions, said wings being co-extensive in length with said body and normally disposed by said score lines in a slightly upwardly angled relation with respect to the flat intermediate portion of said body whereby a plurality of said grips may be conveniently stacked upon one another for storage and shipment, and said wings being bendable inwardly on their respective score lines and toward one anotherunder the action of the gripping hand of the user whereby said wings serve as truss-like braces to prevent deformation of the intermediate body portion under the weight of the load to which said grip is subjected.

JAY D. CRARY. 

